A different kind of Advent ceremony

You are invited to join in on a very simple yet potent ceremony as we move towards the Winter Solstice. I just learned about this practise and wanted to share it with you because it seemed a perfect way to get ready for this most auspicious day/event.

This is the ceremony of 21 stones. Ideally we would have started on December 1st, but the beauty of this ceremony is that one can start at any time, though 21 days is the ideal. Here is what we are doing:

Gather up 21 stones. They can be of any size, shape or quality. It is nice if they have meaning to you personally. Many of us have our stones in some sort of container or laid out in some sort of pattern where they will not be disturbed for the next 3 weeks. Here is my collection in a pottery plate made by a dear friend of mine from long ago:

   Each day we choose one stone to hold in our hand while we spend some time in silence. During the silence you may wish to meditate, pray or some other focusing practise. One can express gratitude, intentions, or what one wants to release. Whatever you feel you most want to express as these last few days of the solar year wind down and we come to the sill-point of the Winter solstice (summer for those down under).
    After sitting with your stone, take it outdoors and release it back to Mother Earth. Again, you can be as simple or as creative as you want to be around how you actually do this. Some people may wish to literally bury their stones, as if they were seeds going into the earth to take root. Some may wish to arrange them in a special place out in a garden. Some may wish to leave them in public places, but hidden for sharp eyes to find, or tossed into a body of water somewhere. It is entirely up to you. The main thing is to remember that this is a process of focus and release... all moving at a slow and mindful daily pace to our destination- the Solstice (which is Dec. 21, 2012 at 6:12 am EST).
    Since there has been so much made of this date in the greater collective, it seemed appropriate to offer a special kind of "advent calendar" to celebrate the journey. If you feel moved to join in, please do. If you'd like to send me any photos of your stones, or any part of your journey, please do so and I'll start a special page here to share the images. 

    It's OK that we may have to play a bit of "catch up" with our stones...don't worry. Start with 21 and make your first contribution be however many are needed to get you synchronized with the date. (if you start on the 4th, then do 4 stones on your first release... the process is framed so that you will have your last stone to give away on the 21st. )  Start from where you stand and just move forward with diligence. We are all doing the best we can. And on the Solstice will will each have one remaining stone to hold while we contemplate this magnificent creation and the gift of being HERE together...and then we will all give our stone, in whatever way we feel moved, back to the Earth.

Blessed Be!